Is The American Side of Niagara Falls Worth Visiting?

Niagara Falls is an incredible natural wonder of the world. It is also an extremely popular tourist destination with over 30 million visitors each year. The falls sits right on the border of Buffalo, New York, and Ontario, Canada meaning there isn’t just one side to visit, but TWO! The Canadian side is by far the more popular, favored side because of its amazing views of the iconic Horseshoe Falls. But, that’s not to say that the American side of Niagara Falls doesn’t possess its own beauty and excitement, because it certainly does.

I was lucky enough to grow up 20 minutes from Niagara Falls and at least once a year as a family we would take a trip to the Canadian side. The Canadian side sits on Clifton Hills. It’s a lively area bustling with restaurants, bars, and fun attractions. There is a beautiful rose garden that blooms in the summer and plenty of stunning walking paths. The Canadian side also hosts the famous Maid of The Mist boat ride, which takes you almost directly up to the falls. Here you will have the best view in the house!

With COVID-19 changing many people’s travel plans, going over the Canadian border has not been a possibility this year. So for the first time in a long time, our yearly trip to Niagara Falls was to the American side.

In the past, I brushed off the American side as not worth visiting, but this recent trip definitely gave me a change of heart. If you are currently planning a trip to Niagara Falls and aren’t quite sure what to expect from either side, here are five things to do on the American side of Niagara Falls making it absolutely worth the trip:

1. Stroll Around Beautiful Niagara Falls State Park

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the entire United States! Established in 1885, it was the first of many reservations that would become the cornerstones to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The park sits on 400 acres of land with great walking trails, beautiful trees, and stunning views of the falls. There are three main parking lots throughout the park. For the day, parking costs $10 USD per car. There’s a visitor center for first-timers where you can have questions answered and someone can point you in the right direction. You’ll encounter great scenic viewing areas and there’s even a restaurant called Top of the Falls. Here you can grab a delicious meal with Niagara Falls as your view!

2. Get Up Close & Personal With the Falls At Cave of the Winds

The American side of Niagara Falls is home to Cave of the Winds, a natural cave tucked behind Bridal Veil Falls. The cave, which was discovered in 1834, was at the time roughly 130 feet high, 100 feet wide, and 30 feet deep. Due to some collapses, those figures are a little different today. But the experience is still one that should not be missed! Tour-goers take an elevator 175 feet deep into the Niagara Gorge. You’ll be provided with a bright yellow poncho and special footwear. From there your guide will lead you through a series of wooden walkways to the “Hurricane Deck” where you’ll be able to see, hear, and feel the rushing water from the falls just 20 feet away! Rainbows are usually always visible and the views will leave you breathless. Tickets for Cave of the Winds are $19 for adults and $16 for children.

3. Take A Helicopter Ride You’ll Never Forget

I’m sure most helicopter rides are pretty memorable but could you imagine taking one right over Niagara Falls?! Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours offers just that- an absolutely breathtaking experience where everyone on board has a window seat. Established in 1995, the Rainbow Air team has always prided themselves on safety, friendliness, and professionalism. They’re taking extra precautions during this time of COVID-19, but reservations can still be made on their website here.

4. Enjoy A Scenic Walk Down The Niagara Falls Gorge

The water from Niagara Falls flows into the Niagara Gorge which is almost 7 miles long. The gorge has some absolutely stunning walking and hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Two of the most popular trails are the Robert Moses Recreational Trail and the Devil’s Hole Trail. Robert Moses is an easy 3.2 miles and Devil’s Hole is a moderate 2.5 miles. All of the trails along the Niagara Falls Gorge are rich in wildlife, history, and natural beauty. If you’re spending a day at Niagara Falls, I’d absolutely recommend starting or finishing off your day with a walk or hike because you should witness the stunning beauty beyond the actual falls. As a result, you’ll experience whirlpools, rapids, and breathtaking views in every direction.  Check out this map detailing each of the trails and what they offer. 

5. Have A Perfect View of The Canadian Side

One thing you can truly only get on the American side is a perfect view of Canada! The Canadian side of Niagara Falls has a really pretty cityscape of some well-known hotels, casinos, and the famous Skylon Tower. This tower has a revolving dining room 775 feet in the air overlooking Niagara Falls! This is certainly a nice sight to see from the other side. 

If you would have asked me a couple of years ago, my advice to you would have been- skip the American side and go directly for Canada! Today, I’d say it’s absolutely worth having the experience of both sides. They both possess their own incredible qualities, highlights, and attractions. Both sides will leave you in awe, completely taken back by the energy, power, and natural beauty of the falls. This is truly a natural wonder that you will not be able to get enough of, so go for the full experience and enjoy it from multiple views and perspectives.

If you’ve visited Niagara Falls before I’d love to hear about your time there and what your thoughts were of either side. For anyone seeking out information to plan a trip, I hope this has come in handy for you! I’d also highly suggest adding Buffalo to your itinerary when visiting the Niagara Falls area, considering its only 20 minutes away. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Buffalo, NY for the best things to do, see, and eat in Buffalo, NY. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments. Thank you for reading & happy travels!